Slow-Cooked Honey-Glazed Pork Shoulder with Apple

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-19 · Updated 2026-04-19

A tender pork shoulder braised with apples and honey, slow-cooked to perfection for a comforting weeknight meal. This American-inspired slow-cooker recipe, ready in about 390 minutes, pairs pork shoulder, olive oil, onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 2 lb, trimmed of excess fat pork shoulder
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large, chopped onion
• 2 cloves, minced garlic
• 1 cup apple cider
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 2 medium, cored and sliced apples

The slow cooker we’d leave this in all day → Best Slow Cookers in 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Season 2 lb trimmed pork shoulder with salt and pepper, then sear for 3 minutes per side until golden brown.
2. Step 2: Add 1 large chopped onion and 2 cloves minced garlic to the pot, cooking for 3 minutes until softened. Stir in 1 cup apple cider, 1/4 cup honey, 1 tbsp Dijon mustard, and 1 tsp dried thyme, scraping any browned bits from the bottom.
3. Step 3: Bring to a simmer, then cover and transfer to a slow cooker. Cook on low for 6 hours until pork is fork-tender. Remove pork and set aside. Skim excess fat from the cooking liquid, then stir in 2 medium sliced apples. Cook uncovered on high for 15 minutes until apples are tender and sauce thickens slightly.